PLEASE NOTE: All North Star Health Primary Care locations open at 9:00 a.m. every third Wednesday of the month.
Grounded in the Patient-Centered Medical Home care model, North Star Health’s comprehensive primary care for children and adults is patient-centered, accessible, and focused on quality and safety. To support the health of the whole person, our primary care includes:
- Routine health maintenance and disease prevention, including adult annual wellness visits, well-child visits, health screenings, and immunizations
- Sick visits
- Ongoing care for chronic illnesses, including diabetes management and education
- Integrated behavioral health services
- Telehealth options
- Care coordination
- Referral to specialists when needed
Locations
My Care Team
Rachel Bruce, MD
Location
Mountain Valley Health Center
Education
Doctor of Medicine (MD), SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, New York, 2000
Post-Graduate Education
Fellowship in Pulmonary Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, 2003-2005
Residency in Internal Medicine, Saint Vincent’s Catholic Medical Center, New York, 2000-2003
Clinical Specialty
Internal Medicine
Areas of Clinical Interest
Geriatric Medicine
Philosophy of Care
I endeavor to help patients maintain and improve their health, with compassion, education, and a patient centered relationship. I am a physician because I wanted to make a difference in the world by helping individuals. My career led me to Vermont, where I am grateful to be part of a wonderful community. It was my dedication to making positive changes in my community that led me to North Star Health.
About Me
Originally from Montreal and upstate New York, I went to college and medical school in New York City, where I completed an Internal Medicine residency training program and a fellowship in Pulmonary medicine. I practiced as a hospitalist in the Boston area, and also in Bennington and Rutland Vermont. I served as a primary care provider for the nursing home residents of Rutland, Vermont during the Covid-19 pandemic. I moved to Vermont in 2005 with my husband, and we have been blessed to raise our two children here and get to know a very special community and explore an extraordinary state.
In my free time, I enjoy skiing, hiking, boating and swimming with my family, nurturing our garden and chickens, and reading.
A Favorite Quote
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelou
Daniel Caloras, MD
Gary A. Clay, MD
Barbara J. Dalton, MD
Robert J. Schwartz, MD
Meghan Ward, MD
Anna Blanc, PA-C
Location
Rockingham Health Center
1 Hospital Court
Bellows Falls, VT
802-463-9000
Specialties
Family Medicine
Education
Franklin Pierce University
Master of Physician Assistant Studies, 2017
New England College
Master of Business Management & Organizational Leadership, 2005
University of New Hampshire
Bachelor of English, 2001
Experience
Cheshire Medical Center at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Family Medicine PA – 2019-2021
Rockingham Health Center at SMCS, Family Medicine PA – 2017-2019
Katie Macksoud, PA-C
Location
Springfield Health Center
Education
Franklin Pierce University, NH
Master of Physician Assistant Studies, 2022
Clinical Specialties
Internal Medicine
Family Medicine
Philosophy of Care
Viewing the person as a whole is how I approach patient care. I find that it is just as important to build rapport with the patient, to develop an open and honest relationship and line of communication, in order to provide the best medical care possible. I find being present by engaging and listening to the concerns/goals of patients is the best initial step in providing care.
About Me
I am originally from Rhode Island and was drawn to the practical aspect of medicine – being able to compassionately improve people’s lives. I enjoy getting to know patients in the primary care setting and managing their care over time. In my down time, I enjoy a good book, nature walks, photography, working out, exploring new coffee shops, and hanging out with my cats.
Favorite Quote
“Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” -Babe Ruth
Makayla Batis, PA-C
Andrew Nickerson, PA-C
Location
Charlestown Health Center
Education
Master of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Texas Medical Branch,Texas, 2017
Clinical Specialties
Internal Medicine, Family Medicine
Areas of Clinical Interest
Narrative Medicine
Philosophy of Care
I entered clinical medicine with a sense of duty and service to my community and aim to provide empathetic and individualized care to each of my patients.
About Me
Originally from Massachusetts, in my free time I enjoy gardening, hiking, exploring new foods, and spending time with my wife and two young children.
Rebecca L. Tinsman, PA-C
Patricia L Brown, FNP-C
Joni Foster-Robison, APRN
Karen Petruney, FNP
Jackie Roy, APRN
Aimee Searles, APRN, FNP-C
Audrey Lohr, FNP-C, IFMCP
Locations
Springfield Health Center
Education
Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner, Institute of Functional Medicine, 2023
Master of Science-Nursing, FNP-C, Simmons University, Massachusetts, 2018
Registered Nursing (RN) Certificate, University of Vermont, 2015
Clinical Specialties
Primary Care
Acute Care
Chronic Condition Management
Functional Medicine
Areas of Clinical Interest
Functional Medicine
Nutrition Support and Guidance
Women’s Health
Philosophy of Care
My approach to patient care is individualized and in-depth. I enjoy listening to each patient’s story and working with them to find the root cause of their issues. I empower patients in making their own decisions in their healthcare by providing information and personalized support.
About Me
I have always been drawn to fostering wellness in others and love how nursing provides the social and scientific foundation to do so. I am particularly excited to work at North Star Health because it values quality healthcare for everyone, rooted in community values.
I am a native Vermonter, now living with my husband on an organic vegetable farm. I have always loved Vermont and cherish being close to my family and lifelong friends in the area. It’s an honor to serve the communities I grew up in as a primary care provider. In my free time I enjoy spending time outdoors with my dog, Eve, and reading. I also enjoy traveling and sharing fun food experiences with friends.
A Favorite Quote
“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” -Jon Kabat-Zinn
Jessica Waters Davis, MD
Location
Ludlow Health Center
Education
University of North Carolina School of Medicine
Clinical Specialties
Family Medicine
Areas of Clinical Interest
Behavioral Health
Addiction Medicine
Women’s Health
Gender Affirming Care
Philosophy of Care
I strive to listen to my patients and partner with them to help them meet their health goals. The opportunity to build longitudinal relationships with patients and families is the reason I love primary care.
About Me
I grew up in Hanover, NH and am excited to be back at home after completing my medical training and early years of practice in North Carolina. When I am not at work, my husband, two school age daughters, and our dog named Jelly Bean keep me busy. I enjoy yoga, hiking, and playing the piano.
Physician Assistant
Jade Ormrod-Leven
Nurse Practitioner
Laura Lober, FNP
Location
Mountain Valley Health Center
Education
MSN Frontier Nursing University, Versailles, KY 2014
BSN University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 1998
Clinical Specialties
Family Nurse Practitioner
Family Medicine
Philosophy of Care
To provide health care that looks at the whole person – considering physical, emotional, social, and spiritual wellbeing.
About Me
I have lived in Vermont all of my life. I enjoy being outside hiking, kayaking, gardening and spending time with my family and friends.
Physician
Jeff Allyn, MD
Location
Springfield Health Center
Education
Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 1985
Broadlawns Medical Center, Family Medicine Residency; Des Moines, IA 1988
Clinical Specialties
Family Medicine
Areas of Clinical Interest
Addiction Medicine
Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Philosophy of Care
The primary care provider most often can diagnose and manage an individual’s healthcare needs. When necessary, we call on the skills of other specialists. Then I become the conductor of a symphony, coordinating, centralizing, and sometimes explaining information from those other sources.
About Me
As a primary care provider I am given the opportunity to beneficially intervene in people’s lives. I can think of no other profession where I have the honor of developing such relationships. I grew up in an Iowa town of 200 before going to college and medical school in New Orleans. Returning to Iowa, I practiced for several years in rural communities. My son, Liam, and I embarked on the adventure of moving here in 2021. It’s wonderful!
Favorite Quote
“We’re all just walking each other home.” -Ram Dass
Physician Assistant
Michael Mello
Physician Assistant
Zachary Yannes
Location
Ludlow Health Center
Education
Bachelors Degree in Athletic Training, Southern Connecticut State University, May 2015
Masters of Health Sciences. Physician Assistant Quinnipiac University, August 2023
Clinical Specialties
Family Medicine
Clinical Interests
Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Primary Care, Behavioral Health, General Health and Wellness, Physical Medicine
Philosophy of Care
I like to provide patient centered care focused around the key concept of meeting patients where they are. I have a strong passion for preventative medicine and I believe in trying to approach clinical care in a way that is stepwise and concise. I hope to provide this service to the community by making our patients feel welcome, heard, and respected.
About Me
I grew up in Connecticut , but was always passionate about the outdoors and wanted to live somewhere that best fit my lifestyle, so Vermont was a logical choice. I enjoy spending time outdoors; hunting, fishing, and hiking. I compete in triathlons and like to cycle. I spend a lot of time in the winter ski touring – hiking up the mountain early in the morning. During the summers I enjoy camping and processing firewood for the winter. I have aspirations of having a family farm with my wife to provide food for our family and hopefully members of the community.